Student Perspectives: Best Restaurants in LA
Hi everyone! I’m Ashley, and I’m a third-year student at USC studying Chemical Engineering and pursuing a masters in Materials Engineering as well. I’m from Los Angeles, and there are so many delicious places to eat here! Here are some of my favorite spots to dine in LA!
République—Cafe and Brunch
Hancock Park
First on the list is République, an iconic cafe and restaurant in the Hancock Park neighborhood. It serves brunch, with toast, omelettes, and sandwiches. They also offer Asian-fusion choices such as koshihikari rice and kimchi fried rice. République is also quite well-known for its pastries so I would definitely recommend checking those out. Most notably, République is famous for its beautiful interior design—which is a combination of lush greenery on the outside and a cozy, warm environment on the inside.
Osteria Mozza—Italian
Hollywood
While on the pricier side, Osteria Mozza truly lives up to its reputation. The moment you walk in, the comfortable ambiance stands out and the staff is incredibly friendly. I personally really enjoyed the pappardelle dish which featured a rabbit ragù sauce (a first for me). The dish perfectly balanced the creaminess of the sauce and the juiciness of the rabbit meat. I also loved the pici pasta, which had delicious sun-dried tomatoes. For dessert, I had the brioche tart: since I really like both brioche and tarts, this was a no-brainer for me! The brioche was wonderfully fluffy and the spiced almonds were absolutely delicious. If you're willing to splurge a bit, I would definitely recommend Osteria Mozza. I’d also suggest making a reservation in advance, as there are often long lines outside the restaurant on weekend nights.
Northern Cafe—Chinese
University Park
If you’re a student at USC, I can almost guarantee that you’ve either walked past, dined at or heard of Northern Cafe. It’s a classic spot near campus, and the food here is amazing. My favorite is the spicy pork wontons. They’re juicy, flavorful, and spicy... What more can you want in a wonton? I had to put my utensils down when I first tried the wontons because they were that delicious. The chili oil in these wontons is delicious and addictive, and I almost had to stop myself from scraping off every last bit of it. Other classic dishes that I enjoy include sautéed string beans, pork xiao long bao, zha jiang noodle and shrimp fried rice. The service is also very quick, which is something that I appreciate a lot when I’m extra hungry.
Kyochon—Korean
Koreatown
I love Korean fried chicken and, every time I eat Kyochon, it always hits the spot perfectly. While their “original” flavor is the soy garlic, my personal favorite is their honey flavored chicken. The honey makes the meat more tender and moist, while also adding just a slight sweetness to the chicken to balance out the saltiness in the sauce. They also add garlic chunks to the honey chicken; and, as a big garlic fan, this is the cherry on top. Even if the idea of honey on chicken is a bit off-putting, I promise that the honey flavor is subtle and enhances the juiciness of the chicken. Eating Kyochon never fails to lift my spirits, so I would definitely recommend Kyochon if you’re looking for a good fried chicken place!
Tatsu Ramen—Japanese
Sawtelle
I first discovered Tatsu when I was in middle school, and my family and I loved it so much that we used to drive 40 minutes every weekend just to eat their ramen. Tatsu has other locations in Melrose, the Arts District, and Pasadena, but my favorite is the Sawtelle location. There's so much to do and see in the area as well. Their menu is highly customizable, making it easy to tailor your ramen just the way you like it. My personal favorite is the Old Skool ramen, which features a slow-cooked Tonkotsu pork broth (the best part!), perfectly cooked ramen noodles, a seasoned egg, pork belly slices, wood ear mushrooms, and seaweed. Tatsu also stays open until 3 AM on the weekends, so if you’re ever in the mood for late-night ramen, definitely check it out!
Thyme Café and Kitchen—Café
Santa Monica
Thyme Café offers gourmet sandwiches, salads, entrées and drinks! They also serve traditional brunch favorites like French toast, breakfast burritos and the iconic Californian avocado toast. The display case features a variety of delicious options, from red velvet cake and key lime pies to pain au chocolats and ratatouille. The interior decor complements the café’s cozy ambiance, with inviting tables and seating areas. Additionally, their chicken pot pies are amazing, striking the perfect balance of crispiness, savoriness and flavor. With such a wide array of menu options and a wonderful setting, it’s the perfect place to study, hang out or just enjoy a great meal!
Din Tai Fung—Taiwanese
Century City
Din Tai Fung is well-known for their pork xiao long bao, and everyone I’ve eaten there with also agrees. They also serve a spicy cold cucumber salad, which perfectly balances freshness and flavor, as well as fried rice and chili wontons that burst with flavor. I wasn’t a fan of cucumbers, until I had their signature cold cucumber salad. It completely converted me! While my personal favorite is the Kurobuta pork flavored one, they also offer crab and chicken meat options, along with both dumpling and bun varieties as well. However, Din Tai Fung offers something for every palate, from savory staples to sweet surprises. They have dessert versions of the xiao long bao, like red bean, chocolate, sesame and taro. I absolutely adore the red bean flavored ones. Dare I say that I enjoy them more than the savory pork xiao long baos? They are the perfect combination of dense without being overly sweet, and the thin layers of the mochi just beneath the thin layer of the xiao long bao complements the dessert with a slight chewy texture. Din Tai Fung always delivers their xiao long bao with consistent, exceptional quality, and it’s always a treat to visit!
Factory Kitchen—Italian
Arts District
The transformation of an open warehouse to a modern restaurant is not the only thing that draws people to Factory Kitchen. It’s also its culinary reputation. Their homemade pasta won them a spot on the Michelin guide, which goes without saying that all of the pastas are mouthwatering. However, there is one dish that truly shines: the most popular is the Mandilli di Seta pasta, which is a fazzoletti pasta with almond basil pesto sauce. People rave about this pasta, and rightfully so. While it might not look anything special at first, the smooth, silky fazzoletti texture immediately melts in your mouth, and the nutty aroma and earthy depth from almonds in the pesto sauce brings out the richness in the pesto. However, they change their menu daily (they keep the mandilli di seta pasta permanently there, of course), so I would recommend trying any of the pastas as an opportunity to try something new! At Factory Kitchen, the combination of tradition and innovation and the ephemeral nature of the dishes continues to entice more customers for its delicious Italian food.
Le Coupe—Chicken
Hollywood
Le Coupe is a restaurant joint serving Southern comfort food, best known for its mouthwatering fried chicken. I ordered the fried chicken sandwich, which features chicken marinated for 24 hours in buttermilk and house-made hot sauce, resulting in an extremely juicy, tender and flavorful bite. The chicken contained the right amount of spice, with it having a little kick, but the crisp, tangy coleslaw perfectly balances the sandwich, cooling down the subtle heat with its refreshing crunch. The portion sizes exceeded my expectations, with a generous serving of chicken that definitely satisfied my fried chicken craving. For my friends who prefer a milder flavor, the spice level is customizable and can be adjusted to zero. That said, I highly recommend trying it with its original kick; the slight heat is part of what makes it so delicious!
BCD Tofu House—Korean
Koreatown
Stepping into BCD Tofu House feels you’ve entered the epitome of Koreatown: a place where the comforting aroma of simmering tofu soup greets you by the door. The restaurant is a chain, yet they boast authentic flavors and consistent quality across their different locations. Obviously, they’re most famous for their soon tofu, which is a Korean tofu soup. However, they also have delicious spicy pork bulgogi, bibimbap, and japchae. Their banchan, or side dishes, are equally delicious and light: the fish cakes, fried mackerel, and potato salad are my personal favorite. My favorite main dish here is the original pork tofu soup with mild spice. It has a rich, savory broth that doesn’t feel heavy on the stomach, perfectly balanced with tender pork pieces and the velvety soft texture of tofu. The seafood tofu soup is equally amazing as well—the simmered soup brings out the acute richness in the seafood. Even friends who usually avoid tofu have told me that BCD’s tofu soup changed their minds. It’s just that good! There’s something about a steaming bowl of BCD tofu soup that feels like a warm hug in a bowl. It never fails to cheer me up.
Leo’s Taco Truck—Mexican
Mid-City
Located on the intersection of Venice Boulevard and La Brea Avenue, there’s never not a line whenever I pass by Leo’s Taco Trucks. The aroma of the tacos finally made me cave in, and it was the best decision ever. Their signature al pastor tacos burst with marinated spice flavors, which were incredibly smoky and tangy, with a hint of sweetness to balance everything out; and the tacos themselves balanced the heartiness of the meat with refreshing toppings and sauces. Whether you’re in the mood for a quick taco or a hearty burrito, the menu has something for everyone. Their extensive menu selection includes tacos, burritos, tortas, sopes, tostadas and so much more. They are famous for their al pastor tacos, but the carnitas and the chorizo are amazing options as well when I tried them. The lines are a testament to their popularity, but the fast service ensures you’ll have your food in no time. Leo’s Taco Truck is a must-visit for anyone looking for quick, delicious, and authentic tacos that will leave you coming back for more.
Holbox—Mexican
University Park
Holbox, a popular restaurant near USC, is a favorite spot for students to gather and enjoy delicious seafood. They specialize in ceviche, offering kanpachi, classic shrimp, and tostadas, but they also have hot tacos and entrées, such as seafood stews, Baja fish tacos, and lobsters. One of their most popular dishes is the ceviche mixto, which features Yucatán octopus, wild Mexican shrimp and Baja striped bass ceviche. The octopus strikes a perfect balance between chewiness and softness, while the shrimp has a wonderfully crunchy and fresh texture. The lime in the mixto perfectly complements the freshness of the seafood, making it a dish I'd highly recommend if you enjoy fresh seafood! The Baja fish tacos also stand out, with the crispy batter, flavorful fish and refreshing cabbage all coming together beautifully. If you're a fan of seafood, I would definitely recommend checking out Holbox!
Caveman Kitchen—Peruvian
University Park
Caveman Kitchen is best known for its lomo saltado, a dish that perfectly balances flavor and texture. The beef is expertly marinated and tender, bursting with rich, savory flavors. It’s paired with a smoky stir-fry of onions and tomatoes, while the creamy green salsa adds a subtle spicy kick that ties everything together beautifully. The accompanying rice and beans are equally impressive. The rice is light and fluffy, while the beans are perfectly cooked with just the right amount of seasoning to enhance their natural flavor. Each element of the dish feels thoughtfully prepared, resulting in a hearty and satisfying meal. For anyone craving authentic Peruvian food, Caveman Kitchen’s lomo saltado is a must-try. Its bold flavors and generous portions make it a standout choice in the University Park area.
Ipoh Kopitiam—Malaysian
Alhambra
I saved the best for last: Ipoh Kopitiam, a lovely restaurant that serves authentic Malaysian food. The restaurant name itself, “Kopitiam,” directly translates to “coffee shop”—a nod to the local establishments found all over Malaysia and Singapore serving a blend of Malaysian, Chinese, Indonesian and Indian cuisine. In Ipoh Kopitiam, actual mural paintings from Ipoh, Malaysia are recreated along the walls, and the buzzing conversations in Cantonese and Mandarin recreate the traditional kopitiam experience.
I adore Malaysian food, and I truly believe that there is nothing that isn’t delicious on the menu. I’ve ordered everything from Hainanese chicken rice to char kway teow to nasi lemak to chicken rendang to kaya toast and so much more. I normally enjoy foods with a lot of heavy seasoning and flavors, but the chicken in the hainanese chicken rice is simple, yet fragrant, tender and delicious. On the other hand, the chicken rendang feels like a conglomeration of spices and seasonings, which makes the meat divine.
There aren’t many Malaysian establishments in Los Angeles, so finding Ipoh Kopitiam felt like finally finding the missing puzzle piece. Although it’s farther out than the other restaurants on this list, the trip out to the San Gabriel Valley is so worth it. I can already feel my mouth watering as I describe the food here. Ipoh Kopitiam captures the essence of Malaysian cuisine in a way that makes it worth the journey.
Written By: Ashley Saw, Class of 2026